YMCA of Greater Springfield to stage triathlon for youngsters

YMCA of Greater Springfield chief executive officer James Morton has noticed a trend in recent years: Youngsters are interested in combining sports.

Morton also knows one of his priorities as the YMCA top dog is to provide as many opportunities as possible to youngsters.

With that, the second annual YMCA of Greater Springfield Kids' Triathlon will be held July 26 at 10 a.m. at the Y, 275 Chestnut St.

"One of the things we're trying to do is to create as many fun activities as possible, especially during the summer months," Morton said. "We know that kids are beginning to be interested in combining sports, such as swimming, cycling and running."

The triathlon attracted just a handful of kids for the inaugural event, but Morton is confident there will be a much higher turnout this year.

"We're hoping to attract youngsters from Northampton, as far away at Pittsfield and Greenfield, as well as our local communities," Morton said. "It's a fun opportunity for the kids to compete in a triathlon and introduce them to that sport as well."

For more information, call (413) 739-6951 or go to www.springfieldy.org

HEADED FOR NATIONALS: Twenty-three local youngsters qualified for the Junior Olympic National Championship July 28-Aug. 2 at Greensboro, N.C. The group advanced to the highest of three rounds after their respective performances at the Junior Olympic Region I meet and the Junior Olympic New England Championships, which were both held at Fitchburg State College in June.

Y Speed Track Club, which is based out of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, will send 19 athletes to the national meet. Chrys Malone (100 meter dash) and Dante Hill (shot put) won their events in the young men's division. Jasmin Whitley (intermediate girls, 400 hurdles) and Jennifer Christian (young women, 100) both placed second, while Targie Gervais (young women, 200) was third.

NINE CHAMPIONS: Nine youngsters from Western Massachusetts were crowned champions at the 2009 Bay State Games held Saturday at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Holyoke's Selena Yates was a double-winner, taking the 100 and 200 in the Scholastic Girls Division. Hadley's Leah Haake (3K) was also first in the Scholastic Girls.

In the Open Men, South Hadley's Michael Brouillette (5K), Westfield's Tyler Cumberlander (400), Williamsburg's Nicholas Otis (400 hurdles) and Amherst's Haniyf Carr (discus) all took first place. West Springfield's Grace Gorman (200) and Westfield's Madeline Baird (400 hurdles) both won in the Open Women Division, while South Deerfield's Bernie Sadoski (shot put) was tops in the 50-59 masters division.

COOK WINS TRI: Westfield's Aubrey Cook won the women's division at the Lowell Mill City Triathlon by more than 3 minutes, covering the .33-mile swim, 13-mile bike and 4-mile run in 1:22:11. Hampden's Michael Gorski was first in the men's 50-54 division in 1:24:05.

LYNCH HELPS GBTC TO TITLE: South Hadley native Meghan Lynch helped the Greater Boston Track Club to the women's title July 10-11 at the USATF National Club Track & Field Championships at Icahn Stadium in New York City. Lynch placed fourth in the 5K in 17:40, and anchored the third-place distance medley team.